Match Preview: Socceroos v Vietnam
The Socceroos will aim to make the most of home ground advantage on Thursday night (January 27) as the battle for FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ qualification heats up.
As their quest to qualify for Australia's fifth-straight World Cup Finals heats up, only victory will do for Graham Arnold's side against Vietnam in front of what will be a huge crowd in Melbourne.
Vietnam have yet to pick up a point in this phase of qualifying but could be a stubborn opponent, with Australia only picking up a 1-0 victory in their first meeting last September.
While Vietnam's hopes of reaching the World Cup Finals in Qatar is already extinguished, the Socceroos remain firmly in the hunt for one of the two automatic qualification spots in Group B.
A win against their 98th ranked opponents would see the Socceroos keep pace with Saudi Arabia and Japan at the top of the standings and keep alive hopes of securing a spot at an historic fifth consecutive FIFA World Cup.
Helping Australia's cause is the return of some key personnel for this clash, including key playmakers Aaron Mooy and Tom Rogic.
The duo will add further creativity in midfield, off-setting the absence of Adjin Hrustic through suspension.
There are also three uncapped players from the A-League Men's in the squad, with Melbourne City's Marco Tilio, Sydney FC left-back Joel King and Central Coast's Kye Rowles all earning their first senior call up.
It's been an interesting build-up for the Australia squad with Arnold forced to isolate away from the squad due to returning a positive COVID-19 result.
But the Green and Gold won't let that be a distraction as they go all-out for a crucial three points in Australia's first match in Melbourne since 2017.
Elsewhere in Group B, Japan hosts China while group leaders Saudi Arabia are at home against Oman.
How to watch
January's matches will be broadcast live and free on Australia's 'Home of Football,' Network Ten - with Thursday's match live on 10 Bold.
To watch all of the latest involving Socceroos and the rest of Asian Qualifying, Australian football fans can visit https://10play.com.au/socceroos.
For fans based outside of Australia, click here to read about how you can continue to access the action.
Matchday 7: Australia v Vietnam
Date: Thursday, 27 January 2022
Venue: Melbourne Rectangular Stadium, Melbourne, Australia
Kick-off: 8:10pm AEDT
Tickets: Limited tickets remaining via Ticketek
Broadcast: Live and free in Australia on 10 Bold and simulcast on 10 Play
World Ranking
Australia: 35
Vietnam: 98
Current standings
What they said
Socceroos defender Milos Degenek
"We're all positive. We all know what's expected of us.
"As Arnie said, you win the next four games you qualify for the World Cup and you leave nothing to chance.
"The best part about it is it's all in our hands. No one else can decide our destiny apart from us.
"We need to win. We need to play well.
"There's no ifs and buts about it."
Socceroos’ January Schedule
Matchday 7: Australia v Vietnam
Date: Thursday, 27 January 2022
Venue: Melbourne Rectangular Stadium, Melbourne, Australia
Kick-off: 8:10pm AEDT
Tickets: Limited tickets remaining via Ticketek
Broadcast: Live and free in Australia on 10 Bold and simulcast on
Matchday 8: Oman v Australia
Date: Tuesday, 1 February 2022
Venue: Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex, Muscat, Oman
Kick-off: 8pm (local); 3am AEDT – Wednesday, 2 February 2022
Broadcast: Live and free in Australia on Network 10 and simulcast on 10 Play